From Frank Sinatra to Jerry Lee Lewis, it is impossible to pin '50s music to any one style. It was the decade that gave birth to rock and roll, while the popularity of musicals soared. Newly designated “teenagers” gravitated toward the new kind of music as they tried to break away from the perceived conformity of their parents. Changes in technology made home listening as important as the radio used to be when determining a hit song. The civil rights movement was beginning to emerge, and its influence was felt in the music of the time. Even if you weren’t around to watch Elvis grind his pelvis on the Ed Sullivan show in 1956, '50s music has influenced what you listen to today.

There is no one type of popular '50s music. During the decade, the soloists and crooners shared the stage with rock and roll, country and western. The popularity of color TV brought shows such as American Bandstand and Your Hit Parade, which greatly influenced the record-buying public. At the same time, the Grand Ole’ Opry brought country and western music to the masses. Stereos began to appear in homes all across America, which meant that popularity ratings began to shift from airplay to record sales. The effect of music on American life during the 1950s can be seen in 1959, when the first Grammy Awards were shown on TV.

CroonersThe music from the '50s is largely split between the first and second parts of the decade. At the dawn of the 1950s, there was a sense of optimism and a “feel good” sound that was part of the post World War II sensibilities. Crooners and solo artists were popular during these years. Singers such as Patti Page, who had a hit with her song “Tennessee Waltz,” along with Frank Sinatra, Dinah Shore, Tony Bennett, Pat Boone, and Nat King Cole sang songs that went with the mood of the country in the early 1950s. Many of these crooners became the idols of the decade’s later rock and roll stars, who used their influence to create a unique sound.

Nat King Cole was not only one of the first African American singers to reach such heights of popularity, but one of the first to host his own musical TV show which premiered in 1956. As the Civil Rights Movement began to take shape, the color of the performer’s skin became a large factor. Nat King Cole continued to make hit records, but his TV show was ultimately canceled due to lack of national sponsorship.

GroupsIn addition to the crooners, there were many singing groups who were influential to '50s music. The Platters saw success with their mixture of rhythm and blues and gospel, while '50s music artists the Four Aces had hits like “Mr. Sandman” and “Love is a Many-Splendored Thing.” A style called Doo Wop had smooth harmonies and included groups such as the Coasters and the Drifters. Many of these groups were made up of African American musicians and started the racial crossover of non-white artists into mainstream radio airplay.

Country and WesternCountry and western music was alive and well in '50s music and was widely seen on TV at the Grand Ole’ Opry. Johnny Cash sang songs with themes about life and relationships that many people understood and took to heart. He had a feel for the common man, and some of his most famous recordings were done in prisons. Hank Williams was the genre’s most prominent singer/songwriter with hits “Hey, Good Lookin’” and “Your Cheatin’ Heart.” His music often had an element of humor that matched the mood of the early decade.

MusicalsMusicals were huge during the 1950s, with many Broadway shows spawning records and movies. Almost every year a musical stage play sent hits soaring up the musical charts. Even today, many of the most popular musicals that are revived in small theaters across the country were originally done in the 1950s. Some of the biggest hits of the decade were Guys and Dolls, The King and I, Singing in the Rain, The Sound of Music, and West Side Story.

Rock and RollRock and roll in many ways defines the last half of the 1950s. The phenomenon began with a style called rockabilly that originated in Memphis in the early '50s. It was a blend of southern blues and gospel, with a strong backbeat, and was promoted on the radio by popular disc jockeys such as Alan Freed and the Big Bopper. Rock and roll was just what the young people of the time were looking for, to break away from the conformity of their parents. The prevalence of African American stars such as Chuck Berry and Fats Domino created controversy among the older generation - and that was just how teenagers liked it.

Largely regarded as the first popular rock and roll song, “Rock Around the Clock” was recorded in 1955 by Bill Haley and the Comets, sending this type of music into the stratosphere. Other rock and roll bands, such as Buddy Holly and the Crickets, and Sam Cooke, carried the sound into mainstream America. American Bandstand had a television viewing audience of 40 million people, and its influence on record sales was staggering. It also gave a platform to '50s dance music, as sock hops and organized dances became popular in high schools across America.

No list of '50s music would be complete without a mention of Elvis Presley. He began his career recording a song for his mother’s birthday. A few years later, Elvis partnered with Sam Philips, a studio owner who wanted to market African American music to a white audience; he knew Elvis was just the man to do it.

Elvis Presley became the first genuine rock star with hits like “Don’t Be Cruel,” “All Shook Up” and “Heartbreak Hotel.” His appearance on the Milton Berle Show in 1956 created controversy when his gyrations shocked the older generation and delighted the younger generation. Despite the outcry over the airing, a second appearance a few weeks later - where he sang “Hound Dog” - sent the television ratings soaring.

While these were the most popular forms of music, other forms still held their audiences close. Classical was always a perennial favorite and jazz music was evolving as the first “free jazz” shows were played in the early part of the decade.

In the 1950s, music reflected the country’s changing ideals, as young people tried to set themselves apart from their elders. For the first time, music was separated not by class or color, but by age. For the first half of the '50s, music was a carryover from previous decades and kept to a happier, innocent tone. Toward the end of the decade, rock and roll was king, and it was the young people who were the holders of the crown. Their influence began to sway popular opinion and the crossover sounds of African American artists played a role in the beginnings of the civil rights movement. Music in the 1950s became more than just a sound — it became a lifestyle.

How Much Do You Know About '50s Music?Elvis Presley. Patti Page. Chuck Berry. These 1950s icons were labeled everything from revolutionary to scandalous and in their wake created a teenage music rebellion. You may remember American Bandstand, but do you really know '50s music? Take this quick quiz to find out!